(Peregrinus expectavi, pedes meos, in cymbalis est.)
As a high school teacher, I am aware that I am an interloper on this
list.
I have remained on the list for more than 10 years because of the occasional
useful piece by people like M. Edmiston and R. McDermott, et al., whose
thoughtful and informed commentary I have found useful in my ongoing efforts
to improve my teaching. Culling out the arrogant, argumentative, spiteful
and disrespectful posts by a few on the list costs no more than a look at
the return address and a click on the delete button, after all.
I would, however, like to encourage the high school teachers on this
list to join a less combative group that has, so far, not been co-opted by
the few who might use the list to inflate their egos by attacking and
denigrating other correspondents. That list is the AP Physics EDG operated
by the College Board. The AP Physics list is one of the more active EDG's
and is peopled by dedicated, principled, earnest HS teachers who treat
others with respect and consideration. It is a list all can contribute to
without fear of being belittled. It is a also a list peopled by those who
know well the students we interact with daily.
Even though you may not teach AP Physics, you will find a great deal of
interest to you, including curriculum suggestions, labs, and demonstration
ideas. I have found it to be of considerable value. Join us in a community
of highly motivated, respectful teachers.